Page 129 of Broken Oath

The sound tore through Rook.

“Man down!”

Rook stopped. “Who?”

“Shark’s hit.”

“How bad?”

A burst of gunfire answered before Maverick did.

“Shoulder. Through-and-through. He’s still fighting.”

Of course he was.

“Get pressure on it.”

“I’m fine,” Shark said.

His voice sounded strained.

“You’re bleeding.”

“I’ve done that before.”

“Fall back to the stern.”

“No.”

That one word carried everything Rook needed to know.

Shark wouldn’t leave Maverick and Cobra while the ship remained unsecured.

“Keep him alive,” Rook ordered.

Maverick’s answer came cold and immediate.

“Always.”

Rook turned toward the stairs leading to the bridge.

“Reef?”

“Engine room access secured. Crew members are sheltering inside two cabins.”

“Combatants?”

“Three down. Crew surrendered.”

“Cobra?”

“Trying not to blow up the engine.”

Rook heard Cobra in the background.

“The word trying is important.”

“Get control of propulsion,” Rook ordered. “Cutter will take the bridge when it’s secure.”